Overview

The Audiolab 7000N Play is a high-performance network audio player that enhances the wireless streaming experience with upgraded processing and a vibrant interface. Built on the versatile DTS Play-Fi ecosystem, it provides access to high-resolution music from services like Tidal, Qobuz, and Spotify, alongside support for Apple AirPlay 2. Featuring the flagship-grade ESS ES9038Q2M Sabre DAC and a full-color IPS LCD display, it delivers a refined digital-to-analog conversion that serves as a significant upgrade for any high-fidelity audio system.

Simcoe Audio Video Insight

The 7000N Play is a major step forward for Audiolab’s streaming range, primarily due to the inclusion of the 2.8-inch color display. In our showroom, we find the ability to see album artwork and track metadata directly on the unit adds a premium, tactile feel that was missing in the 6000 series. Sonically, the move to the 9038 series DAC provides a lower noise floor and improved rhythmic timing. For users who want the flexibility of DTS Play-Fi combined with a high-end visual aesthetic that matches the 7000A amplifier, this streamer is the ideal choice.

Pro Tip: Use the Play-Fi "Critical Listening Mode" in the app settings. This bypasses the standard multi-room transcoding and ensures that your 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution files are delivered bit-perfectly to the internal Sabre DAC without any downsampling.

More Details

Why It Wins

• Interactive GUI: The full-color LCD displays track info, digital meters, and system settings, creating a more engaging user experience.
• Superior DAC Performance: Utilizes the ES9038Q2M chip, offering higher dynamic range and lower distortion than entry-level streaming components.
• AirPlay 2 & Connect Services: Supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect for effortless, direct streaming from your mobile devices.

What Makes It Different

The 7000N Play distinguishes itself by offering hardware-level enhancements that reduce digital jitter. It employs an isolated power supply and high-quality circuitry designed to keep the digital signal path as clean as possible. While many streamers focus solely on the app experience, Audiolab has prioritized the analog output stage, ensuring that the sound reaching your amplifier is as spacious and detailed as the original studio master. This makes it a true audiophile component rather than just a convenient streaming bridge.

Technical Highlights

• DTS Play-Fi Technology: Enables lossless multi-room streaming across a massive ecosystem of compatible products from various manufacturers.
• High-Resolution Capability: Supports bit-perfect streaming up to 24-bit/192kHz over wired or dual-band wireless networks.
• Digital & Analog Versatility: Features both variable and fixed output modes, allowing it to act as a digital preamp directly connected to a power amplifier.

Buyers Guide

Who This Is For

• The Visual-Oriented Listener: Those who want a dedicated screen to display metadata and artwork rather than relying solely on a smartphone.
• The High-Resolution Streamer: Ideal for subscribers of lossless services who want a hardware-optimized path for their digital audio.

What To Pair It With

• Audiolab 7000A Integrated Amp: Creates a visually and sonically perfectly matched stack with shared control via the 12V trigger system.
• High-Quality RCA Interconnects: To fully appreciate the ES9038Q2M DAC, use low-capacitance analog cables for connection to your amplifier.

Alternative Options

If you don't require a color display or the flagship DAC, the Audiolab 6000N Play remains an excellent budget-friendly streaming option. For those who prefer the BluOS interface and ecosystem, the Bluesound Node is a strong competitor. If you want the absolute peak of Audiolab streaming technology with an even larger screen and premium chassis, the 9000N is the flagship alternative.